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Hank grinned. “I think we can figure it out, ma’am.”
While the crew went to work, Eden decided that what her article needed was more research. She knew why Nash hired escorts, but she still didn’t know what had caused him to go to such extremes. Lots of men were addicted to sex. What made Nash think he was so different—so flawed? Whom had he hurt? Had it been Melissa?
Unfortunately, she couldn’t concentrate on researching the questions with all the hammering and thumping that was going on. And since she really didn’t have that much to steal besides her laptop and two phones, she collected them and her purse and made her excuses.
“I’ll be back in a little while.”
“Take your time,” Hank said as he used putty and a flat-edged tool to patch a hole in her wall. “I’m thinking it might take most of the day. But I’ll know better once we get into it. How ’bout I give you my cell number and you call me in a couple hours?”
Eden pulled her cell phone out of her purse to get his number and noticed that she had a text from Madison.
I guess you’re not the only one Zac is mad at.
Eden immediately tried to call her, but when there was no answer, she got Hank’s number and then headed to Madison’s apartment. While Eden lived in a run-down studio, Madison lived in a high-rise apartment building with a great view and enough walls to hold the expensive artwork Madison’s clients gave her. But the walls were empty when Eden stepped through the door, and moving boxes littered the floor of the entryway.
“What’s going—?” Eden started to ask, but cut off when she finally noticed Madison’s split lip. “The asshole hit you!”
Madison tried to smile, but winced and touched her swollen lip. “Actually, his thug friend hit me. Zac just stood by and watched.”
Eden had never been good at consoling people, which was just another reason why she didn’t have many friends. After standing there for a moment, she awkwardly patted Madison on the back. “Don’t you worry, Maddie, everything is going to be all right. We’re going to call the police and nail Zac’s balls to the wall.”
Madison looked at her as if she was crazy. “Sorry, Eden, but I really don’t feel like recovering in jail.” She glanced at the boxes in the living room. “Although, since I’m being kicked out of my apartment, I guess jail is as good a place as any to live.”
“Zac owns this apartment?”
Madison shook her head. “Zac might be responsible for my lip, but I only have myself to blame for being evicted. For the last few months, I haven’t had enough money to pay the rent.”
“But I don’t get it. I thought you made a lot of money.”
“I do. Or at least, I did. Recently, I stopped taking money from my clients. Which is the reason I got a visit from Zac. He thinks I’m holding out on him and starting my own escort service… with you.”
“But that’s ridiculous,” Eden said.
“That’s what I told him, but he wouldn’t listen.” Madison moved into the living room and sat down in the one spot on the couch that didn’t have a box. For once, she didn’t look like the Happy Hooker. “To cover what he thought should be his percentage, Zac and his buddies took all my diamonds, fur coats, and most of my paintings.”
Eden sat down on the marble coffee table in front of her. “But I don’t understand. Why would you stop taking money from your clients?”
Madison shrugged. “I know it’s stupid, but after I got to know Freddie, George, and Harry, I just couldn’t bring myself to take money from them anymore. They are such sweet old guys.”
It wasn’t surprising that Madison had made friends with her clients. Madison seemed to make friends with everyone… even a selfish writer who had only been using her for a story. Madison had shown up at The Lemon Drop night after night, hooked Eden up with Nash, and hadn’t hesitated to race over to Eden’s apartment after Zac had choked her. Even now, it was Madison who tried to lift Eden’s spirits.
“Don’t look so sad, Eden. It’s not that bad.” Madison made an attempt at a smile. “In my profession, there’s always money to be made.”
Eden stared at her. “You aren’t seriously thinking about going back to work as an escort, are you?”
“Of course. What other job would I do?”
“You could do anything you want to do. Be anything you want to be. What are you interested in?”
Madison thought for a moment. “Men.”
Eden tried not to roll her eyes. “Okay, what else?”
“Art.”
“Then why don’t you get a job at an art gallery? You’re great with people.”
Madison looked thoughtful. “An art gallery? You really think I could get a job selling art?”
